| Located on the Brisbane River about 12 miles from Moreton Bay, it's Australia's third largest city. John Oxley first explored the site in 1823, and the British established a penal colony there in 1824. Until the penal colony was abandoned in 1839, free men were not allowed to settle within 50 miles of the site. Brisbane became a municipality in 1859 when it was named the capital of Queensland. In 1902, it was joined with South Brisbane into the City of Greater Brisbane. Port History Both built by convict labor, the oldest surviving buildings in Brisbane are The Windmill and the Old Commissariat Store. The Willdmill was used as punishment for convicts for grinding grain. It was also the site where the first television signals in the southern hemisphere were transmitted in 1934. The Old Commissariat Store was used as a grainhouse, but it has also been an immigrant hostel. It is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Brisbane. The Port of Brisbane was the Southwest Pacific headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. Port Commerce Today, Brisbane is the central point for many rail lines and highways that bring agricultural products for export. The Port of Brisbane can handle ships up to 34 thousand tons. The port is managed by the government-owned Port of Brisbane Corporation. Transporting over 28 million tons of cargo annually, the Port of Brisbane boasts nine deep-water container berths, 17 bulk and general cargo berths, and three deep water bulk berths. The Pinkenba Wharf is the cruise ship wharf managed by the Port of Brisbane authority. Port facilities, including bulk and general cargo wharves, cruise terminal, and dockyard facility, extend over 9 miles upriver. Every year, the Port of Brisbane welcomes over 2600 ships, generating $770 million to Queensland's economy. The Port of Brisbane's first exports were timber. Tonnage through the port grew from 8 thousand tons in 1850 to over 690 thousand tons in 1885. In 1888, frozen beef trade entered the Port of Bribane, creating new prosperity and growth. After World War II, a new wave of development brought sugar, meat, and oil processing, and mining exports to the Port of Brisbane. Total tonnage rose to 2.6 million tons in 1947. In the 1960s, the Moonie oil fields were discovered, and two new refineries were built at the mouth of the Brisbane River. Then in the late 1960s, containerization hit the shipping scene, prompting the construction of the Port of Brisbane's first container terminal on the Hamilton Reach of the River. Cruising and Travel The Port of Brisbane welcomes cruise ships and around 120 thousand passengers each year. Visitors find an abundance of great shopping, beautiful beaches, and the beautiful Moreton Bay. From here, visitors can enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and the many resorts on the tropical islands of southern Queensland. Moreton Bay is a favorite spot with Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island where you can feed dolphins. You can find a complete listing of cruise ship schedules. |
